As the summer comes to a close, many families are planning last minute vacations to escape the reality of fall around the corner. As you leave your home unattended, there are a multitude of things that can be done to protect your property. I have included a few I believe are key factors in protecting your home.

It is best to have your home look occupied. Buy a few timers and set certain lights to turn on throughout the evening. Lights typically deter burglars who are looking for dark entry areas.  Be sure to either have a friend or family member collect your mail and pick up your newspaper; or call your post office and local newspaper and have them put on hold until you return. A pile up of mail or newspapers is a sure sign of your home being unoccupied.

Your valuables are called your valuables for a reason. Whether it is sentimental or monetary, nobody wants to part with their valuables. Either take them with you or leave them in a safe or safety deposit box.

Making sure you have set up a service or a friend to care for your yard while on vacation is very crucial to protecting your home. Leaving the yard unattended can give signs of a vacant property. In this market a burglar might even think that the home may have foreclosed, and is hoping to find belongings left behind.

I hope everyone finds these reminders helpful while planning your last minute getaways. Enjoy your last weeks of fun in the sun. Just remember the old saying. It’s better to be safe than sorry.